Talents tree

[Deatrix]

I took a look at the talents tree for the warlock, and it doesnt seem like either branch has any advantages over the other, i have only invested a few points, in destruction i believe, and i started a few points in demonology, and i was just wondering if any of the other warlocks around here had any strats they'd like to mention.

[Derricka]

Yeah, I had the same problem with my warlock, NONE of the talent trees are really good to focuse on...

My warlock's talents are focused a little more in Affliction right now... first 5 points went into Improved Corruption, which made this 2s cast spell an Instant cast, it's great... Then I did Drain Soul, because it allows fast mana regeneration after the target's dead. now I'm working on Improve Curse of Agony and Drain life I believe, can't remember... ...

like I said... none of them seem to be great at the end... I'm just trying to improve the DOT (Damage Over Time) spells for now because I use them all the time...

I guess there isn't a great way for warlocks, it's up to the individual...

[Deatrix]

Pretty much its going the same way for me, except I went with improved shadow bolt for the improved crit chance and next ill go for the extra stun affect.

[Deatrix]

You are right though, the talents that decrease the casting time are awsome, my imolate and shadow bolt spells are almost instant now. and improving the percentage of health recovered by health stone is good too, but have yoiu tried to put any points into demonology? they seem good, but i hear pets get good enough with out it. I was wondering what you thought.

[Derricka]

I never tried demonology, I figured they can take care of themselves...

yeah, warlock is one of the best de-buff classes in a group, they have put at least 3 DOTs on the monster, and the more "Instant" cast those spells are the better... anyway, here is a "suggestion" for talents... I found this in the warlock's forum....
This guys is going to for the full Affliction at the end, which is what I planned to do, so this is similar to what I would do with my warlock...


Affliction Talents (16 points)

# Improved Corruption - 5/5 points
makes this instant cast. a must have.

# Improved Life Tap - 2/2 points
i use this in combination with bandages for very little downtime, since mana pot's are hard to come by and i horde money.

# Improved Drain Soul - 2/2 points
Gives you a 100% chance to get a 100% increase to your Mana regeneration for 10 seconds if the target dies while while you drain its soul. In addition, your Mana may continue to regenerate while casting at 50% of normal. extra mana regen is good

# Improved Drain Life - 1/5 point
i needed the point put somewhere, and extra life drained seems like a good idea to me

# Amplify Curse - 1/1 point
once every 3 mins, but extra dps is nice.

# Improved Curse of Agony - 3/3 points
extra dps

# Fel Concentration - 1/5 point
when i do use drain life, it's usually to proc nightfall. sometimes this aggros the mob, and 14% is much better than 0% chance of avoiding interruption.

# Nightfall - 1/2 point
this procs more often for me than you'd think. insta-bolt is sexy

Demonology Talents (2 points)

# Improved Healthstone - 2/2 points
personal preference. i like the 100 extra hp applied

Destruction Talents (17 points)

# Improved Shadow Bolt - 5/5 points
self explanatory

# Bane - 5/5 points


# Shadowburn - 1/1 point
nuke, pure and simple

# Devastation - 5/5 points
i want ruin

# Destructive Reach - 1/2 point

Also if you need a Complete Guide about Warlock's talents... here is a helpful link but lots of reading:
forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-warlock&t=83709&p=1&tmp=1#post83709

[Lothnar]

People, people… Stop and pay attention to some of the skills. I found my calling in the Affliction Tree. And hears why….

Lets start with Improved Corruption as stated above is a must have. This makes into an instant cast, so you don’t have to stop running in say… BG PvP? This gives you 3 DOTs to throw without stopping. 2 of which can be active on multiple targets.

Next, let’s look at Life Siphon. Sure it’s only 23 life every 3 sec for one target, starting. But when you tap and fear 3 targets you’re talking 69 health every few sec; and it only gets better as I level it. Oh and it’s also instant cast! Now I’ve four Dots to bring to bear without stopping my movement.

Next let’s look at channeling skills. Fel Concentration is a must for this. We can suck and revitalize our selves with Life Tap and Mana Tap (this becomes moot at 31) or can just plain do DOT damage with Drain Soul. Now when one-on-one with a monster I literally suck him dry in moments with 4 dots and my Taps which he almost never interrupts (unless it’s Elite, in which case I keep him feared while doing this.). And before lvl 31 you regen mana and life faster in battle then out of battle if fighting mages or shamans with a Void Walker (pocket tank) leading the way. Also if Void walker is about to die (Blue Elf is about to die! No… not my elf… Valerie help!!!), you can always sacrifice for instant shield why you continue to suck.

Oh I’ll remind everyone at this point Fear is our home free card. If things start getting out of hand Fear, ReDOT, and run (mount and run if you can). Usually my target will die by time he begins to track me again. If not just keep running till out of Aggro range.

Finally there is the pinnacle of the Affliction tree, which I raced to as soon as I hit 31; DARK PACT!!! Muhaaaa!!! *thunder crackles in the distance*. This talent seems to be greatly misunderstood. Let me give you a brake down. Starting at 31 and you get the skill (which is instant cast also) which will allow you to draw 150 mana from pet. This doesn’t sound like much till you realize it’s a 2 sec cool down. It’s literally ready again before animation is done. I can easly get enough mana to cast fear with this in sec. Then with the Mob running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off, I can pump up on mana real quick and restart my DOT and suck routine. The best pet for this is an Imp. You put him on pacify with his phase shift on. POOF!! I now have an invulnerable mana battery pack. Also if you ever notice he regens mana like a plane covers distance, so you wait a few sec and he’ll have a good 1K of mana for you again.

After I hit that, I find I’m not worried as much for spirit any more and am putting 5 points in Demon Tree for Demonic Embrace. What can I say everyone loves more Hp.

After that I’m not quite sure where I’ll spend my last 20 points. Or if you don’t want Demonic Embrace, you can reach Intensify and make your Rain of Fire a great close in AOE ditch effort spell for mass damage.

Well, there you have it folks; the grand scheme of one durable little Gnome Lok. This has done me well as I race almost always alone toward lvl60.

Take Care, Lothnar “the lovable Gnome vampire”

[Lothnar]

Sorry quick corrective note to my above post.

I mean to say lvl 41 not lv 31 in the speech. I keep forgeting that Skill tree starts at lvl 10.

Thanks, Lothnar